Fire fear fueled by cracker explosion

ERIN PEARSON
GEELONG firefighters are warning the region against firecrackers after an Independent investigation revealed many were lit in high fire danger areas.
Region operations manager Gerry Verdoorn sent out the warning this week after it was revealed firecracker use was at an all time high.
Mr Verdoorn said the CFA had noticed there was “definitely more” illegal fireworks activity around.
“We’ve had phone calls from both firefighters and residents reporting cracker usage and some are quite large,” he said.
“It’s of real concern for us.
“Even on a day that’s not hot fireworks can get stuck in vegetation or around the home and cause a fire.
“It’s not confined to a rural area.”
Mr Verdoorn said people knew firecrackers were illegal and often hid in high risk fire areas out of view when lighting them.
“I live in Torquay and since New Year’s Eve every night we’ve had fire works,” he said.
Fed up residents from across Geelong, the Bellarine and Surf Coast have reported the use of illegal crackers to the Independent.
Belmont, Bell Post Hill and Norlane have been identified as hot spots.
The Independent last week reported a rise in firecracker use on New Year’s Eve in Torquay.
Senior Sergeant Angelo Ferrara said the use of firecrackers “stood out” as a real problem this year with three people charged.
In one incident a cracker was thrown under a patrol horse and the uniformed rider was thrown to the ground.
The warning follows the death of Tarneit father of two Carlos Rodriguez, 34, who died days after a firework exploded in his face at a New Year’s Eve celebration.
Some Independent readers said the firecrackers had gone off each night since December 31.
Others reported them being thrown at pedestrians and into high risk fire danger areas.
But some came out in support of the pyrotechnics and said they were all right as long as they were used correctly.
Victoria Police said anyone caught in possession of firecrackers faced fines of up to $10,000. Fireworks starting a bushfire resulting in death attracted a jail sentence up to 25 years.
Worksafe said around 42,000 fireworks weighing more than 5000 kilograms were confiscated in Victoria last year.
In 2010 only about 6500 fireworks weighing around 350kg were seized, Worksafe said.